The Policy of the Somersetshire Coal Canal Society for the safe
operation of

Allen Scythe, Serial Number 120945F

(herinafter referred to as "the machine").

WHO SHALL OPERATE THE MACHINE

No person shall be permitted to operate the machine, except for
the purpose of training under close supervision, until the Work Party
Manager is satisfied that they are a competent person. A competent
person is one who in the opinion of the Work Party Manager:

1) Is of mature, sober and sound mind.

2) Has sufficient physical strength to operate the machine
safely in the prevailing circumstances.

3) Has received training in the safe operation of the machine
and has:

c) Demonstrated competence to operate the machine safely to
the satisfaction of the Work Party Manager or his approved
deputy.

The Work Party Manager or his approved deputy may at any time
withdraw permission to use the machine for any reason. He may
restrict the type of work to be undertaken, restrict the work area
and give specific directions for the operation of the machine so as
to ensure safety in any special circumstances which may arise.

OPERATION

Normally the machine shall be operated by a crew of two operators:

1) The Machine Operator
The Machine operator is responsible for starting and stopping the
machine and for steering it and controlling it so as to work in a
safe and effective manner.

2) The Safety Operator
The Safety Operator is responsible for maintaining a lookout for
potential hazards and for warning the Machine Operator. He should
ensure that bystanders do not enter the work area and should assist
the Machine Operator, if required, in case of difficulty.

No part of any operator is permitted to be forward of the
machine's road wheel axle when the engine is running. (Forward means
in the direction of the cutter bar.) Normally the Machine Operator
will walk between or behind the handlebars and the Safety Operator
will be free to move about (having regard for his own safety) so as
to keep a lookout for obstacles and to be ready to assist in
controlling the machine if necessary. If the Machine Operator is
incapacitated, the Safety Operator shall stop the machine.

After working for some time (the duration of which will depend on
the nature of the work), the two operators should exchange duties, so
as to prevent danger arising from operator fatigue. Under conditions
of exceptionally heavy work, a third operator will be necessary so
that by rotating the duties, each operator in turn can be given a
period of rest.

No adjustments, unclogging, lifting, recovery or other work shall
be undertaken on the machine until the engine is stopped and the
sparking plug connector has been removed from the plug.

No person other than a competent operator shall be permitted to
remain in the area of work while the engine is running. If a
bystander inadvertently enters the work area, the engine must be
stopped immediately.

This information is intended as a supplement
to the manufacturer's
handbook ("The Allen Self-Propelled
Motor Scythe Model T.S." published by John Allen & Sons (Oxford)
Ltd.) and should be read in conjunction with it. A summary of
the manufacturer's instructions will be found on a plate attached to
the engine cover, which serves as a reminder when the machine is on
location.

FUEL

This particular model is fitted with "Villiers Mk. 25" 4-stroke
petrol engine, it was designed to be used with leaded fuel, not
2-stroke mixture. The use of neat unleaded fuel may result in damage
to the exhaust valves, so if unleaded fuel is to be used, it must be
augmented by a lead-substitute additive or an upper cylinder
lubricant (such as 'Redex'), which is mixed with the fuel in the
proportions recommended by the additive manufacturer.

OIL

Modern lubricants with similar viscosity ratings to those
recommended in the handbook should be used for the engine, the
gearbox and various lubrication points.

OPERATIONAL RISKS

The risks identified below are in addition to the usual risks
associated with petrol-driven vehicles and mowing machines.

RISKThe cutter blades operate whenever the engine is running.

ACTIONNo part of the operator's body shall be in front of the road
wheel axle when the engine is running. During the starting and
stopping operations, the physical layout of the machine ensures that
the operator has to be located in a safe position. The operator
should ensure that no other person is in front of the machine and the
clutch is disengaged before starting it. The machine shall never be
left unattended with the engine running.

RISKThe clutch, which controls rotation of the road wheels, does not
disengage automatically when the clutch handle is released

ACTIONA lever associated with the clutch handle has to be pulled to
disengage the clutch. This lever performs two functions: it releases
the clutch handle and it engages a servo mechanism which forces the
clutch dogs to disengage regardless of the load upon them. The
operator must be aware of the need to pull this lever firmly and hold
it fully backwards until the forward motion of the machine
ceases.

RISK
Once started, the engine will run until deprived of fuel. Shutting
the throttle in the manner described in the handbook does not always
stop a warm engine promptly.

ACTION
The SCCS has fitted an electrical stopping device to the throttle
lever. Pulling the lever backwards and downwards to its slowest speed
position will immediately stop the engine. If this fails to operate
or if the operator cannot reach it for any reason, the sparking plug
cap should be pulled off to stop the engine in an emergency (taking
care to avoid touching the rotating starter pulley). If the Machine
Operator is incapacitated, the Safety Operator shall stop the
machine.

RISKThis particular type of engine poses a high risk of
'kicking-back' during starting.

ACTION
Only an approved toggle-ended cord similar to that shown in the
handbook shall be used for starting the engine. It is important that
the toggle can be pulled safely from the operator's grasp if the
engine 'kicks-back'; under no circumstances should the starting cord
be formed into a loop or tied around the operator's arm, wrist or
hand in an attempt to gain extra purchase. If the starting cord is
pulled in the manner described in the handbook, the risk of
'kick-back' is minimised.

RISKThe loose starter rope may become caught up in the machine or
operator if it is left lying around.

ACTION
Immediately the engine starts, stow the rope by winding it around the
cleats on the right-hand handlebar and secure it in an approved
manner.

RISKThe rotating starter pulley is exposed. It has a smooth periphery
except for the angled rope notch and does not drive a belt, so there
is little risk of anything becoming drawn into it. The main risk is
of minor skin injuries due to friction or laceration.

ACTION
It is not practical to guard the pulley as this would prevent it from
being used to start the engine, so operators must be trained to work
safely so as to avoid risk of contact with it. The operator should
wear appropriate clothing with no loose parts; long hair should be
tied back or worn under a cap. Under normal circumstances there is no
need for anyone to be near the pulley, but when stopping the engine
in an emergency by disconnecting the sparking plug lead, the operator
must be aware of the risk the pulley poses.

RISK
The machine is heavy and liable to be deflected from its intended
course by collision with objects such as tree stumps and large blocks
of masonry which are sometimes found in the vicinity of abandoned
canals.

ACTION
On rough ground, to prevent injury from any sudden sideways movement
of the machine, the operator shall avoid holding the handlebars with
rigid arms or standing directly between them. The Safety Operator
shall keep watch for obstructions and warn the Machine Operator of
their presence. The Safety Operator shall be available to assist the
Machine Operator in keeping control of the machine under difficult
circumstances and shall stop the machine if the Machine Operator is
incapacitated or thrown off balance by a sudden unexpected deflection
of the machine.

RISKThe ratchet drive system to the road wheels allows the machine to
freewheel downhill. This could result in the machine running away
from the operator on steep downhill slopes.

ACTION
Before descending a slope the Machine Operator shall engage the
over-run pawls in the manner described in the handbook. This can
usually be done safely with the engine running, provided the operator
remains behind the road wheel axle.

RISK
On a steep slope, either uphill or downhill , a single operator may
have insufficient strength to control the machine if the clutch is
disengaged. This could result in the machine running away forwards or
running backwards towards the operator.

ACTION
The operator should be trained never to disengage the clutch on a
steep hill. In the event of needing to stop, the throttle should be
closed, thereby stopping the engine. The operator will then need to
obtain assistance to manver the machine to a safe place and
restart the engine. If circumstances permit, the operator may turn
the machine across the direction of slope, which will allow the
clutch to be disengaged safely.

ADDITIONAL POINTS

Always check that the clutch is disengaged before attempting to
start the engine.

If the engine fails to start, check the following points:

1) Fuel in tank?

2) Fuel tap on?

3) Plug cap on?

4) Throttle lever set half open?

If the engine is extremely difficult to rotate with the starter
cord, check that the cutter bar has not been dislodged from its
correct alignment by a heavy collision. If it has, use the hammer and
brass drift, which are included in the tool kit, to tap it back into
place.

If the engine does not run at normal speed and fails to respond to
the throttle properly, check to see if the bowden cable has been
dislodged from the throttle control by a previous rapid movement of
the throttle lever.

If the engine is sluggish and smoke appears in the exhaust gasses,
check that the choke 'strangler' has not been left closed by mistake.

If the engine repeatedly speeds up, misfires and slows down,
suspect that the throttle is set too high for the load on the engine.

If the machine is extremely difficult to steer, check that the
over-run pawls have not been left engaged by mistake..

If the cutting action produces a shaking motion in the vegetation
as it is cut, the cutter bar is operating correctly, but if the
foliage is being pushed flat without a shaking action, the cutter bar
may be choked with previously-cut material. This can sometimes be
cleared by declutching and pulling the machine backwards whilst
simultaneously shaking the handles up and down to throw the cut
material off the cutter bar. If that action is ineffective, the
engine must be stopped, the sparking plug cap removed and the cutter
bar cleared by hand or with a suitable tool.

In cases of frequent repeated choking of the cutter bar, an
experienced Safety Operator may use a stick, which must be at least 2
metres long, to carefully dislodge the material from the cutter bar
without stopping the engine.. The Safety Operator must signal his
intentions to the Machine Operator and await an acknowledgement
before commencing. The clutch must be disengaged throughout the
procedure and the Safety Operator must never stand in front of the
machine.

The machine should not be driven through the middle of thick
vegetation or high brambles as the operator will be obliged to follow
and may become caught up in the bushes and unable to control the
machine properly. The job should be tackled in a series of passes
along the side of the vegetation, cutting in a little further at each
pass. High vegetation on the left hand side of the machine may
repeatedly catch in the throttle and shut off the engine
unnecessarily; if this occurs, cut in one direction only, with the
vegetation on the right hand side.